Footplate position

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Recess
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Footplate position

Post by Recess »

Another scintillating post from me, I know, but just wondering what size 10 shoe folks on here set their footplate to?

I've been using "two holes up" for mine, which puts the strap over the bottom loop of my shoes - but when doing 100m sprints today, found I was launching out of the seat - and getting a consistent 17.7s result.

I changed to "three holes up" and the launch didn't seem as bad, and I was down to 17.5 for two attempts.

I figure it's made a difference, but doesn't seem quite as comfortable at the moment.

So how do other 10's set it?

John


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Re: Footplate position

Post by dr3do »

Two holes up, three holes up, strap over… :?: :roll: I think pictures are really ideal for things like this. Tomorrow I'll throw some (of my positioning) in.
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Paul Victory
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Re: Footplate position

Post by Paul Victory »

I usually row with two holes showing above the footplate. For short distances (500m or less), I used to row with three holes showing, but I'd forgotten about this recently. I must try it the next time I do a short sprint.

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Re: Footplate position

Post by gregsmith01748 »

Shoe size: 11.5
Holes showing: 4

I use 5 holes showing if I am trying for a PB for LP, 100 or 500.

It's significantly less comfortable, but I stay on the seat much better.
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Re: Footplate position

Post by thornmaster »

One hole up normally for my size 15's and two up when I was still doing sprints on high drag and rating high.
Andy 48 6'9" 125kg

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Re: Footplate position

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Re: Footplate position

Post by dr3do »

Hey John

The position of my forefoot is always same - with socks I use #3. With shoes (special thin barefoot sole with good feeling/grip and 0mm between forefoot and heel, shoe size US 11.5 / UK 10.5) it's #4, with my Nike v2 (which had 4.0mm) it was #5. For me it really depends on the amount of cushioning at "achilles' heel" (the higher the cushioning, the higher the number - to get down with my forefoot to the correct position).

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Re: Footplate position

Post by Wolfmiester »

Hi John,
the footplate position should be whatever position enables your shins to be vertical at the catch.
This enables optimum efficiency for "normal" rowing.
For sprinting it is more common to show more holes (raise the plate) as this allows more power to be pushed through the heel for shorter periods of time.
I'm sure it's explained in m ore detail in Boris' links above :P
Wolfie

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Recess
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Re: Footplate position

Post by Recess »

I may take a quick video from the side of my technique then, just to see what happens with my shins. I've left the footplate at position 4 (3 holes showing) since originally posting this, and seem to be happy on it. I've not tried a sprint yet, but last night's 30 minutes went surprisingly well - so it'll be interesting to see if I can feel a difference.

Thanks for all the tips (and links).

John
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